Ch lam ydia In Au st r alia

STI

Chlamydia
W hat is Chlamydia? W hat is t he cause

of t he infect ion?
Chlamydia is caused by the
bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and
is a very common STI. It is often called
the ?silent infection? because most
people do not realise they have it. It
can affect women and men of all ages,
but most frequently occurs in people
who are under 25 years of age.
Chlamydia is spread by unprotected
vaginal or anal sex with an infected
person.

Chlamydia was the most

frequently reported STI in
Australia in 2012, with 82,707
new cases.
This amounts to 455 cases per
every 100,000 people.
Even higher rates were recorded
in remote areas.
81% of reported cases are 15-24
year olds.
It is nearly seven times the rate
of the next most frequently
reported notifiable STI,
gonorrhoea (in Australia). This
rate has more than tripled over
the past decade.

Sign s an d Sym pt om s
Most people don?t have any immediate
symptoms. If you have had unprotected sex,
see your doctor about a test.
Wom en
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Chlamydia

M ost w om en w h o ar e in f ect ed h ave

n o sign s or sym pt om s of ch lam ydia.
if symptoms are present, they may
include: an unusual vaginal discharge,
a burning feeling when urinating, pain
during sex, bleeding or spotting
between periods or bleeding after sex.
It can infect the cervix and spread to
the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing
pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic
pelvic pain, pregnancy in the fallopian
tubes and infertility. If a mother has
chlamydia, it can be passed on to a
baby during birth, causing lung or eye
infections.

M en
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Men who have chlamydia usually do

not have any signs or symptoms.
Chlamydia infects the urethra (tube of
the penis) and may spread to the
epididymis ? the tube that carries
sperm from the testicles ? causing
pain.
In men, if symptoms are present, they
may include: a discharge from the
penis, discomfort when urinating,
swollen and sore testes.

How t h e STI is t r eat ed, su ppr essed,

Can som eon e h ave t h is in f ect ion an d n ot
an d/ or cu r ed ?
k n ow it ? Wh y?
If you do have Chlamydia, symptoms may
not appear until several weeks after you
have sex with an infected partner. Even
when chlamydia causes no symptoms, it can
damage your reproductive system. An
abnormal vaginal discharge and burning
sensation when urinating.

How t h e in f ect ion is spr ead?

It is usually spread by vaginal or anal sex
without a condom.

Wh at can h appen if t h is in f ect ion is n ot

t r eat ed ?

Always use a condom with water-based

lubricant to avoid getting chlamydia.
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If detected early, chlamydia can

be treated with a single dose of
antibiotics.
If complications from chlamydia
infection are present, such as
pelvic inflammatory disease in
women, a longer course of
antibiotics will be required.
If you have chlamydia, your
sexual partner also needs to be
informed, tested and treated, as
they may be infected and can
infect you again after treatment.
You should have another test for
chlamydia three months after
you are treated.

If left untreated, chlamydia can

cause pelvic inflammatory disease
(PID) in women, which can lead to
chronic pain and infertility.
In men, it can cause pain and
swelling in one or both testicles.

Wh ich sou r ces w ou ld be m ost u sef u l f or

a t een ager t o per son ally access
in f or m at ion on t h is STI?
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Your doctor
Your school nurse or school welfare
coordinator
Youth worker
welfare worker or social worker
your local community health centre
The Action Centre (for young people
less than 25 years) Tel. 1800 013 952
or (03) 9660 4700
Sydney sexual health centre
Sexual Health info link 1800 451 624
Family Planning NSW